Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
View entire collection guide
Search this collection
Table of contents
Title: Jack Scott Papers
Dates: 1954-2013
Collection Number: CPCiC-0001
Creator/Collector:
Scott, Jack Alan
Extent: 47 boxes, 88 linear feet
Online items available
Repository:
Pasadena City College
Pasadena, California 91106-2003
Abstract: The Jack Scott Papers contains personal and professional papers and memorabilia of Dr. Jack Scott, former President of Pasadena
City College (1987-1995), California State Assemblyman 44th District (1996-2000), California State Senator 21st District (2000-2008),
and Chancellor of California Community Colleges (2009-2012). The collection consists of correspondence, manuscripts, magazines
and journals, notes and drafts, pamphlets, photographs, awards (plaques, trophies and certificates), audio-visual materials,
and newspaper clippings.
Language of Material: English
University records are public records and once fully processed are generally open to research use. Records that contain personally
identifiable information will be closed to protect individual privacy. The closure of university records is subject to compliance
with applicable laws.
Property rights reside with Pasadena City College. Literary rights may still reside with the creator of some collection materials.
For permission to publish or to reproduce the material, please contact Pasadena City College Shatford Library.
[Identification of item]. Jack Scott Papers. Collection Number: CPCiC-0001. Pasadena City College
The collection was donated to Pasadena City College by Dr. Jack Scott in 2015.
Biography/Administrative History
Jack Alan Scott, 1933- is a former president of Pasadena City College, a former California State Assemblyman (D-La Crescenta),
and a former California State Senator.
Jack Scott was born in 1933 in Sweetwater, Texas. He is the son of Will Scott, a state legislator and later owner of a tractor
business, and his wife Ethelda.
Jack Scott attended Sweetwater High School in Sweetwater, Texas, where he was president of the student body. He met his future
wife, Lacreta Isbell, while they were students at Abilene Christian University and they were married in 1954. The couple had
five children: Sharon Mitchell, Sheila Head, Amy Shones (b. 1960), Greg (b. 1963) and Adam (1966-1993).
Jack received his bachelor's degree in Religion (1954) from Abilene Christian University. He later earned a Master of Divinity
degree from Yale University (1962) and a second Masters in History from Claremont Graduate School in 1967, as well as a Ph.D.
degree in American History from Claremont Graduate School (1970) and an honorary Ph.D. from Pepperdine University in 1991.
From 1962-1973 Scott served as Associate and later full Professor of History and Religion at Pepperdine University. From 1971-1973
he also served as Provost and Dean of the College’s Los Angeles Campus. From 1973-1978 he served as Academic Dean of Orange
Coast College, then from 1978-1987 as President of Cypress College. In 1982, Scott authored the book “An Annotated Edition
of Lectures on Moral Philosophy”, a work on the lectures of theologian John Witherspoon (1723-1794).
In 1987, Scott became President of Pasadena City College, serving in that position until 1995. During his tenure he created
a $100 million master plan to meet college needs through the 21st century, including a new library (completed in October 1993),
a 2000+ vehicle parking structure (completed January 1995), a new Child Development Center (completed April 1996), a Community
Education Center (completed May 1996), and a new physical education facility (completed 1999).
On October 22, 1993, Scott’s son Adam, a recent college graduate, was killed by a friend handling a weapon. This event was
a major impetus to Scott’s future legislative efforts to regulate gun manufacture and institute gun safety equipment and regulation.
In 1993 Scott co-founded the Coalition for a Non-Violent City, and served on the Board of Directors until 1998.
In 1996, Scott was elected a member of the California State Assembly (D-District 44). He was re-elected to a second term in
1998. While a member of the Assembly he acted as chair of the Education Budget Committee (1996-1998), the Insurance Committee
(1998-2000) and the Select Committee on Gun Violence. In 2000, Scott conducted hearings uncovering corruption which resulted
in the resignation of Insurance Commissioner Charles (“Chuck”) Quackenbush.
In 2000 Scott was elected to the California State Senate (D-District 21). He was re-elected to a second term in 2004. While
a member of the Senate he acted as chair of the Revenue and Taxation Committee (2000-2002), Budget Committee on Education
(2002-2004), Committee on Education (2004-2008), and the Joint Legislative Committee on Arts (2000-2008). He also served on
insurance, transportation, cost control, and banking and finance committees.
Legislation sponsored by Scott includes gift and loan restrictions on elected officials, prohibiting sex offenders from working
in schools, state regulation of gun manufacturers, streamlining of the child adoption process, regulation requiring full disclosure
by HMOs, and bills increasing teaching standards and making student loans tax deductible. During his service as a legislator
Scott received Legislator of the Year honors from many organizations.
In 2008, Scott became the 14th Chancellor of the California Community College system. After his retirement from this position
in 2012, he served as a Claremont University Scholar in Residence.
Throughout his lifetime Scott served numerous organizations, acting as Chairperson and member of the Board of Directors for
many. Notable among these appointments as his service as a member of the Pepperdine University Board of Regents (1974-1975),
Chairman and Board of Directors of the California Heart Association (1981-1988), Chairman of the Western Association of Schools
and Colleges (WASC) Accreditation Committee for Community and Junior Colleges (1992-1994), member of Board of Trustees of
Pacific Oaks College (1995-2001), member of the Board of Directors of the Santa Monica Conservancy (2001-), and President
of the Association of California community College Administrators.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Jack Scott Papers consist of 47 boxes of materials, including correspondence, manuscripts, magazines and journals, notes
and drafts, pamphlets, photographs, awards (plaques, trophies and certificates), audio-visual materials, and newspaper clippings.
The materials are arranged in 10 series.
Series 1. Correspondence. This series contains correspondence to Jack Scott as well as correspondence regarding awards.
Series 2. Literary Productions. This series consists of speeches and manuscripts written by Jack Scott, as well as biographical
information.
Series 3. Legislation. This series consists of drafts, notes and other materials concerning legislation sponsored by Jack
Scott and legislative colleagues during Scott's terms as California State Assemblyman 44th District (1996-2000) and California
State Senator 21st District (2000-2008).
Series 4. Personal Records. This series contains notes, clippings, manuscripts and reports. Main subjects are Adam Scott (son
of Jack Scott) and the Scott's participation in the group Coalition for a Non-Violent City.
Series 5. Professional records. This series contains correspondence, clippings, reports, notes, speeches, meeting minutes,
and appointment and retirement memorabilia concerning Jack Scott's work as PCC President, California State Assemblyman, California
State Senator, and Chancellor of California Community Colleges.
Series 6. Printed Material. This series contains pamphlets, brochures, programs, magazines and journals.
Series 7. Photographic Material. This series contains photographic negatives and prints recording Jack Scott's participation
in various events as well as professional portraits.
Series 8. Audio-visual Materials. This series contains materials concerning or featuring Jack Scott as well as materials collected
by him. Contents include audio cassettes, video cassettes, betacam cassettes, CDs and DVDs.
Series 9. Certificates, Awards & Trophies. This series contains plaques, certificates, trophies, and other awards received
by Jack Scott during his lifetime.
Series 10. Clippings & Press Releases. This series contains newspaper clippings and press releases.
Community college presidents
Pasadena (Calif.)
Legislators--California--Biography.
Gun control--Law and legislation
Million Mom March (2000 : Washington, D.C.)
Scott, Jack, 1933-
Scott, Lacreta Isbell
Scott, Adam
Antonovich, Michael D. Supervisor 5th District
Arakelyan, Haroutyun
Bakewell, Danny J., 1946-
Brown, Jerry, 1938-
Channing, Carol
Davis, Gray, 1942-
Eng, Michael Furgeson
Garegin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, 1951-
Fong, Paul, 1952-
Gore, Al, 1948-
Greuel, Wendy Jane, 1961-
Hahn, James K., 1950-
Hartwell, Lori
Hayden, Tom
Howser, Huell
Kuehl, Sheila James
Liu, Carol, 1941-
Lockyer, Bill
Oskanyan, Vardan
Padilla, Alex, 1973-
Quackenbush, Charles “Chuck”, 1954-
Reed, Charles B., 1941
Reagan, Nancy, 1921-
Reagan, Ronald
Ride, Sally
Schiff, Adam B.
Schwarzenegger, Arnold
Steinberg, Darrell S., 1959-
Ton-Quinlivan, Van
Waters, Maxine
Wilson, Pete, 1933-
Pasadena City College (Pasadena, Calif.)
Pepperdine University
Cypress College
Orange Coast College
California Community Colleges. Chancellor's Office
California. Legislature. Assembly
California. Legislature. Senate
Armenian Church. Hayrapetutʻiwn Amenayn Hayotsʻ
California. Governor (1991-1999 : Wilson)
California. Governor (1999-2003 : Davis)
California. Governor (2003-2011 : Schwarzenegger)
California. Governor (2011- : Brown)
Cerritos Junior College (Lacreta employment, plaques)
Coalition for a Non-Violent City (Pasadena, California).
Puente Project
United States. President (1981-1989 : Reagan)
Pasadena (Calif.)